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Kenya national football team facts for kids

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Kenya
Nickname(s) Harambee Stars
Association Football Kenya Federation
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation CECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coach James Nandwa
Captain Michael Olunga
Most caps Musa Otieno (90)
Top scorer William Ouma (35)
Home stadium Moi International Sports Centre
FIFA code KEN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 106 Decrease 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 68 (December 2008)
Lowest 137 (July 2007)
Elo ranking
Current 108 Increase 2 (3 March 2019)
Highest 60 (November 1983)
Lowest 140 (August 2011)
First international
 Kenya 1–1 Uganda 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
 Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961)
Biggest defeat
 Uganda 13–1 Kenya 
(Uganda; 1932)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 6 (first in 1972)
Best result Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019)

The Kenya national football team represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body football in Kenya, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). It is colloquially known as Harambee Stars and plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

History

FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for 3 months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.

On 25 October 2006, Kenya was suspended from international football for failing to fulfill a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complies with the agreements previously reached.

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time Sébastien Migné was appointed in May 2018, and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team will use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.

On the 8th of March 2021, the Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa and Odibets General Manager Dedan Mungai unveiled a partnership. The partnership was the first of its kind where the betting company Odibets would sponsor the Kenyan football team to prepare for 5 upcoming matches. The 5 million shilling motivation deal was set in place to cater for the team's wants and needs. While it was set as a continuous partnership, the initial donation of KSH 5,000,000 was made as a 1 time payment.

Recent results

2021

2022

2023

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • England Ray Bachelor (1961)
  • England Jack Gibbons (1966)
  • Kenya Elijah Lidonde (1967)
  • West Germany Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
  • Kenya Jonathan Niva (1972)
  • England Ray Wood (1975)
  • Poland Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
  • Kenya Stephen Yongo (1979)
  • Kenya Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
  • West Germany Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
  • Germany Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02)
  • Kenya Christopher Makokha (1988)
  • Morocco Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005
  • Austria Gerry Saurer (1992)
  • Yugoslavia Vojo Gardašević (1996)
  • Kenya Abdul Majid (1998)
  • Nigeria Christian Chukwu (1998)
  • Kenya James Siang'a (1999–00)
  • Kenya Joe Kadenge (2002)
  • Kenya Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021)
  • Kenya Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
  • France Bernard Lama (2006)
  • Kenya Tom Olaba (2006)
  • Kenya Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
  • Kenya Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12)
  • Germany Antoine Hey (2009)
  • Kenya Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11)
  • France Henri Michel (2012)
  • Kenya James Nandwa (2012–13, 2023-)
  • Algeria Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
  • Scotland Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
  • Kenya Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018)
  • Belgium Paul Put (2017–2018)
  • France Sebastien Migne (2018–2019)
  • Kenya Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
  • Turkey Engin Fırat (2021)

Source : RSSSF

Players

The following players have been selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Uganda and Rwanda on 10 and 15 November 2021.

Caps and goals are correct as of 10 October 2021, after the match against Mali.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Ian Otieno (1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 30) 10 0 Zambia ZESCO United
23 1GK James Saruni (1985-11-24) 24 November 1985 (age 38) 2 0 Kenya Ulinzi Stars
18 1GK Brian Bwire (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Kenya Tusker

5 2DF Musa Mohammed (1991-06-06) 6 June 1991 (age 32) 44 0 Zambia Lusaka Dynamos
3 2DF Aboud Omar (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 31) 40 0 Greece AEL
4 2DF David Ochieng (1992-10-07) 7 October 1992 (age 31) 35 2 Kenya Mathare United
13 2DF Erick Otieno (1995-09-27) 27 September 1995 (age 28) 34 0 Sweden AIK
2 2DF Joseph Okumu (1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 26) 15 0 Belgium Gent
2DF Johnstone Omurwa (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 25) 11 0 Israel Sektzia Nes Tziona

17 3MF Teddy Akumu (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 31) 45 0 South Africa Kaizer Chiefs
11 3MF Clifton Miheso (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 30) 43 7 Kenya Gor Mahia
3MF Eric Johana Omondi (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 29) 36 4 Thailand Muangthong United
10 3MF Kenneth Muguna (1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 27) 24 2 Tanzania Azam
22 3MF Hassan Abdallah (1996-07-06) 6 July 1996 (age 27) 16 6 Kenya Bandari
12 3MF Samuel Onyango (1994-11-30) 30 November 1994 (age 29) 13 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
8 3MF Duke Abuya (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 29) 8 0 Zambia Nkana
7 3MF Cliff Nyakeya (1995-01-11) 11 January 1995 (age 28) 8 2 Egypt Al Masry
6 3MF Richard Odada (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 23) 4 0 United States Philadelphia Union
19 3MF Anthony Wambani (1999-08-07) 7 August 1999 (age 24) 3 0 Sweden Vasalunds
15 3MF Amos Nondi (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori
3MF Timothy Ouma (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 19) 2 0 Sweden Elfsborg
21 3MF Alwyn Tera (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 26) 0 0 Armenia Ararat-Armenia

14 4FW Michael Olunga (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 29) 44 19 Qatar Al-Duhail
9 4FW Ismael Dunga (1993-02-24) 24 February 1993 (age 30) 0 0 Japan Kamatamare Sanuki

The following players have been called up within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Farouk Shikhalo (1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 (age 27) 0 0 Tanzania KMC v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
GK Joseph Okoth (1993-12-03) 3 December 1993 (age 30) 0 0 Kenya KCB v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021

DF David Owino Odhiambo (1988-04-05) 5 April 1988 (age 35) 66 2 Zambia NAPSA Stars v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
DF Joash Onyango (1993-01-31) 31 January 1993 (age 30) 18 0 Tanzania Simba v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
DF Daniel Sakari (1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 24) 11 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
DF Eugene Asike (1993-11-30) 30 November 1993 (age 30) 6 0 Sweden Karlstad v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
DF Bolton Omwenga (1996-12-17) 17 December 1996 (age 26) 5 0 Tanzania Kagera Sugar v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
DF David Owino Ambulu (1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Kenya KCB v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
DF Haron Shakava (1992-11-26) 26 November 1992 (age 31) 6 1 Zambia Nkana v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
DF Andrew Juma (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Kenya Gor Mahia v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
DF Siraj Mohammed (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Kenya Bandari v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
DF Frank Odhiambo (2002-10-22) 22 October 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Sweden Haninge v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021

MF Lawrence Juma (1992-11-17) 17 November 1992 (age 31) 13 0 Kenya Sofapaka v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
MF Ismael Athuman (1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 28) 11 0 Spain Real Murcia v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
MF Boniface Muchiri (1996-08-28) 28 August 1996 (age 27) 6 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
MF Philip Mayaka (2000-11-30) 30 November 2000 (age 23) 0 0 United States Colorado Rapids v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
MF Eric Zakayo (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
MF Patilah Omoto (1995-03-02) 2 March 1995 (age 28) 16 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
MF Duncan Otieno (1994-05-26) 26 May 1994 (age 29) 13 1 Zambia Lusaka Dynamos v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
MF Jackson Macharia (1994-06-15) 15 June 1994 (age 29) 1 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
MF Enoch Momanyi 0 0 Kenya Talanta v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021

FW Erick Kapaito (1995-12-25) 25 December 1995 (age 27) 3 1 Ethiopia Abra Minch v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
FW Henry Atola (2001-06-12) 12 June 2001 (age 22) 2 0 Sweden AIK v.  Mali, 10 October 2021
FW Masoud Juma (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 27) 16 5 Morocco Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021
FW Elvis Rupia (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 28) 2 1 Kenya AFC Leopards v.  Uganda, 2 September 2021

Records

Players in bold are still active with it.

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

Final Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
England 1966 Did not enter Declined participation
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 8
Argentina 1978 2 0 1 1 0 1
Spain 1982 2 1 0 1 3 6
Mexico 1986 4 1 1 2 6 10
Italy 1990 6 1 3 2 2 4
United States 1994 2 1 0 1 2 4
France 1998 8 4 1 3 13 14
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 0 2
Germany 2006 12 4 1 7 13 18
South Africa 2010 12 4 1 7 13 16
Brazil 2014 8 3 3 2 11 5
Russia 2018 4 2 1 1 6 4
Qatar 2022 6 1 3 2 4 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 74 24 18 32 82 101

Africa Cup of Nations

Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to United Arab Republic 1959 Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1962 to Sudan 1970 Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972 Group stage 5th 3 0 2 1 3 4
Egypt 1974 to Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Côte d'Ivoire 1984 Did not enter
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify
Morocco 1988 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 0 6
Algeria 1990 8th 3 0 1 2 0 3
Senegal 1992 9th 2 0 0 2 1 5
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify
South Africa 1996 Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998 to Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 6
Egypt 2006 to Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019 Group stage 17th 3 1 0 2 3 7
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify
Côte d'Ivoire 2023 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Guinea 2025 To be determined
Total 17 2 4 11 11 31

African Games

Year Round GP W D L GS GA
Kenya 1987 2nd 5 2 2 1 7 6

CECAFA Cup

  • Winners: 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
  • Runners-up: 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Kenia para niños

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